News A multi-month review of the HJC Rpha72 full-face helmet.

With spring here and test rides underway, the roads and motorcycles are as varied as the scenery. Mile after mile! It’s enough to form an opinion on the comfort, performance, and versatility of the new HJC Rpha72.
You really come to appreciate a helmet over time and with mileage—not after just a quick ride through town. On the other hand, sometimes it only takes a few blocks for a bad helmet to reveal its flaws.

That won’t be the case with this sport-touring helmet from the Korean manufacturer. Elegant, understated, sporty, and well-finished, the “72” lives up to the brand’s high standards of quality. When you pick it up, its lightness is immediately noticeable. Not just because this is the carbon version; the PIM-shell model is also impressive in this regard—just not quite as much.

There’s no need to devote four paragraphs to detailing the helmet—all its specifications are covered extensively in the dedicated article (HJC Rpha 72 review). Let’s take a look at what’s inside the box instead. The helmet comes standard with a Pinlock 120 XLT, a neck gaiter, and a chin flap. These are the kinds of little touches that save you from fogged-up visors, the bite of the wind, and a chilly nose during challenging weather conditions.

A New Dimension for the Rpha Sport-GT

At first glance, its new shell appears to be a modest evolution from the Rpha 71, but upon closer inspection, the difference in size is obvious. This is even more noticeable in terms of weight, where the Rpha 72 clearly demonstrates its progress. It hasn’t quite caught up to the legendary Rpha70 in this regard, but given the work required to meet the latest standards, the effort is both measurable and noticeable.

Are we overemphasizing this point?!? Pick it up and you’ll immediately understand why. And even more so after a long day of riding. You quickly forget you’re wearing the Rpha72, as it relieves neck strain and reduces muscle fatigue. That’s because its aerodynamic design not only provides excellent air penetration but also rock-solid stability. Its sporty design ensures you’re never bothered by turbulence during dynamic or aggressive riding.

Putting it on may seem a bit tricky at first, given its narrow base. But the motion quickly becomes easier, and your head slides right in without a hitch. The helmet then naturally conforms to the contours of your face, offering a level of comfort more reminiscent of touring than of sports. The padding supports your head without feeling restrictive. You feel comfortable, you stay in it, you smile, and you ride.

Another notable feature of the Rpha72 is its acoustic comfort. While not a silent helmet, it easily muffles most loud noises, with a slight whoosh becoming noticeable at 90 km/h; Then it becomes truly noticeable at 120–130 km/h. A sure sign: I’ve never felt the need to wear earplugs. Maybe habit plays a part in that too (I’ve had my license for 25 years).

As is often the case with HJC, the panoramic view is excellent. The field of vision is wide, open—like an IMAX screen—and distortion-free. A quick flick of the finger under the left cheek lowers the sun visor, demonstrating its equally impressive effectiveness by providing just the right amount of shade. Under the cover of the dedicated intercom slot is a discreet mechanism to adjust the sun visor’s stop; handy for my big nose. Remove the small plate, set the selector to 3, and close it—15 seconds of fiddling and the tip of your nose is saved.

The Rpha72’s ventilation is unobtrusive yet effective. The ventilation vents are very easy to operate, regardless of the thickness or type of gloves you’re wearing. In hot weather, there’s no real feeling of being in an oven, suffocating, or having stagnant air weighing down on your face. Except in the city, where the urban environment traps heat close to the ground.

There’s just one thing that bothered me about this helmet: the safety lock on the main visor. You have to press the small plate with your fingertip and then push the visor latch without releasing the plate. It takes a little getting used to, but this system ensures safety by preventing any accidental opening.

The Rpha 72 is compatible with Sena’s 11b, 21b, or 50b intercoms, which can be installed in a dedicated slot; another slot at the back accommodates the battery. This is a more elegant solution than clip-on models, but it limits your choice of helmets if you want to keep using the same intercom as you upgrade your helmets over time.

It’s a winner

With the “72,” HJC offers a stylish and high-quality helmet that’s versatile enough for many uses. Ranked among the best in its category, it shows significant improvements over the previous generation, offers everyday comfort, and is competitively priced. It’s priced lower than the model it replaces, even though the improvements are significant, and it’s well-positioned against the competition. One of the best value-for-money options for this full-face helmet.